Nasal masks

Abstract

The present invention is related to patient interfaces, such as nasal masks (2), particularly though not solely for use in providing continuous positive airway pressure therapy or positive pressure ventilation to patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea. In a first form the invention is a patient interface that has securement means (601) releasably attaching the interface to headstraps wherein the securement means (601) is slidably engaged with the patient interface. In a second form of the invention the mask headgear is formed of a plurality of straps (701, 702) where at least one of the plurality of straps is slidably engaged with another of the plurality of straps. In a further form the patient interface may be provided with vertically adjustable engaging means (802) that engage the patient interface with the headgear straps.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to patient interfaces, particularly though not solely for use in providing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy or positive pressure ventilation to patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).[0003]2. Summary of the Prior Art[0004]In the art of respiration devices, there are well known a variety of respiratory masks which cover the nose and / or mouth of a human user in order to provide a continuous seal around the nasal and / or oral areas of the face such that gas may be provided at positive pressure within the mask for consumption by the user. The uses for such masks range from high altitude breathing (ie. aviation applications) to mining and fire fighting applications, to various medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.[0005]One requisite of such respiratory masks has been that they provide an effective seal against the user's face to prevent leakage of the gas bei...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a device for delivering a supply of gases to a user that overcomes the disadvantages of previous masks and headgear. The device includes a patient interface, securement means, and engaging means. The engaging means is designed to slidingly engage with the securement means and provide a compressive force on the sealing means to ensure the supply of gases is delivered to the user without significant leakage. The device also includes a plurality of straps that are fastened around the user's head to secure the patient interface. These technical features improve the efficiency and comfort of delivering gases to users.

Problems solved by technology

Commonly, in prior mask configurations, a good mask-to-face seal has been attained in many instances only with considerable discomfort for the user.

This problem is most crucial in those applications, especially medical applications, which require the user to wear such a mask continuously for hours or perhaps even days.

In such situations, the user will not tolerate the mask for long durations and optimum therapeutic or diagnostic objectives will not be achieved, or will be achieved with great difficulty and considerable user discomfort.

In common with prior art designs, is an inability to seal effectively when the user's face becomes distorted.

The user 100 sleeping on his or her side may also distort the facial contours around the nasal area 106 and may lead to further leakage.

Images